North Carolina State Health Plan Selects Health Dialog to Provide Whole Person Care Management Services; More than 490,000 Members and Dependents Gain Access to Health Coaching and Related Support.

BOSTON -- Health Dialog Services Corporation today announced that it has been selected by the State Health Plan of North Carolina to provide eligible plan members access to whole person care management services. Under the agreement, more than 490,000 North Carolina state employees, teachers, retirees, and dependents can receive Health Coaching and related support for chronic conditions, significant medical decisions, general health and wellness needs, and more. The State Health Plan will offer these services as part of its NC HealthSmart healthy living initiative, which is designed to improve the health of plan members while helping them realize enhanced quality of care and cost savings.

Health Dialog Health Coaches, who are nurses, dieticians, and respiratory therapists, work with individuals to help them get the knowledge and confidence they need to work more effectively with their physicians. In addition to telephonic Health Coaching support, members have access to award-winning educational resources online, in print, and through audio and video tapes and DVDs.

"With the amount of information available today about conditions and treatment options, healthcare consumers can easily become overwhelmed," said George Bennett, Chairman and CEO of Health Dialog. "Through this agreement, the North Carolina State Health Plan is helping its members become more active and effective participants in the health management process."

"Chronic illnesses, in particular, represent a large portion of our members' conditions," said Nancy Henley, MD, Medical Director for the State Health Plan. "Many State Health Plan members are facing multiple chronic illnesses, as well as other related issues, such as weight management or stress. Health Dialog's whole person approach gives our members the support they need to understand all of their conditions, including how they may interrelate, so that they can become more skilled and confident in managing their healthcare."

About the State Health Plan:

The State Health Plan of North Carolina offers high-quality, affordable health care to its more than 590,000 members consisting of teachers, state employees, retirees, current and former lawmakers, state university and community college personnel, state hospital staff and their dependents. In addition to focusing on the health and well being of its members, the State Health Plan takes seriously its role as a steward of taxpayer dollars by offering cost-effective, fiscally responsible plans. For more information about the State Health Plan, visit www.shpnc.org.

About Health Dialog

Health Dialog is a leading provider of care management services, including disease management, and is one of the fastest growing privately held firms in the U.S. The firm helps physician groups, health plans, and self-insured employers improve healthcare quality while reducing overall costs. Health Dialog's services include analytic services and telephonic and other care management support for individuals. The firm helps individuals become more actively engaged in their healthcare and have more effective relationships with their physicians. For more information about Health Dialog, please visit www.healthdialog.com.